The present invention provides a storage unit for Surface Mount Technology (SMT) supplies, comprising a plurality of stacks having vertically stacked storage locations for SMT supplies, a terminal for inserting and receiving SMT supplies to and from said storage unit, a first collector arm for transporting SMT supplies between storage locations and said terminal, said collector arm being moveably arranged along said stacks so as to enable engagement with the vertically stacked storage locations of a stack. Further, the plurality of stacks are arranged in at least one cluster of two or more stacks in each cluster, wherein each stack of said at least one cluster is moveably arranged in relation to said collector arm so as to allow engagement of said collector arm with different stacks of the cluster upon movement of said two or more stacks in the cluster, thereby allowing said collector arm to engage storage locations of different stacks in said at least one cluster. The present invention further provides a method for operating a storage unit for SMT supplies.

A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.

Automated cold storage unit and systems for storing, monitoring, and maintaining a supply of temperature sensitive pharmaceutical and/or other products in compliance with regulatory requirements are provided. Such units contain an array of independently addressable holding locations for containers with product in one or more controlled temperature zones fitted with temperature sensors. The units include a reader to track product information and status. Product movement within the unit is performed by a computer-controlled robot. A user interface device, preferably in communication with an application service provider to provide remotely managed inventory management and other services, provides users with secure access to the contents of the unit and associated product data and information.

The disclosure relates to a system having a handling device which is a rail-bound vehicle having a travel unit movable in a longitudinal direction of the system or a handling device fixed at a location with a travel unit movable about its own axis, a lifting unit of a stacker crane movable in a vertical direction, and a load receiving unit which can be movable and/or rotatable in a transverse direction, wherein the load receiving unit has an interface for fastening a lifting tool that is configured such that the lifting tool or a part of the lifting tool can be automatically changed or removed, with the handling device having a releasable latching device in whose closed state the lifting tool or its changeable part is secured against loss.

Various embodiments illustrated herein disclose an apparatus. The apparatus comprises a rotary put wall having a plurality of totes. The apparatus further comprises a vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) placed within the rotary put wall. The internal vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) comprises a plurality of chutes to receive one or more items from a robotic device. The internal vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) is further configured to be rotatable with respect to the rotary put wall and to convey the one or more items into one tote of the plurality of totes of the rotary put wall.

A method for managing storage of materials implemented in an electronic device to ensure that earliest-stored materials are removed from storage positions, first controls a scanning device to scan batch code and obtains batch information of the material when an inlet of the electronic device is required to receive the batch of material. A serial number of a storage position is associated with the batch information and a storage time of the batch of material in the storage position is recorded. The serial number of the storage position storing the batch of material according to the batch information is determined when a material-request is received and a transmission track is controlled to transfer the batches of material which having earliest recorded storage times one by one to the outlet, so as to release the batches of material from the storage position.

An automated storage and retrieval system and method of storing articles to and retrieving articles from at least one stacked storage rack that is configured to store articles double deep in each storage location with one article at a front position and another article at a back position behind the one article includes a robot having an end of arm tool (EOAT). The EOAT has a platform and an extendable article manipulator. The platform is sized to support at least two articles. The robotic arm selectively positions the end of arm tool to retrieve articles from front and back storage positions of said at least one stacked storage rack and storing at least one of the articles from the platform to a front or back storage position after the robot rotates the EOAT about a generally vertical axis.

A logistics tower includes a vertical storage cell column, a vertical retrieval system and a horizontal shuttle system. The vertical storage cell column includes an elevator shaft extending therethrough and a plurality of storage modules arranged around the elevator shaft. The vertical retrieval system includes a winch and a robotic bin handier. The robotic bin handler is moveably by the winch within the elevator shaft of the vertical storage cell column. The robotic bin handler includes a carnage assembly that extends inwardly and outwardly therefrom to access and retrieve storage bins from the storage modules arranged around the elevator shaft. The carriage assembly includes a gripping assembly that selectively couples and decouples the storage bin to the carriage of the robotic bin handler. The vertical retrieval system lowers the storage bin coupled to the carriage assembly to a. robotic shuttle situated on the horizontal shuttle system.

A storage and retrieval system including a vertical array of storage levels, each storage level having storage locations, a multilevel vertical conveyor system configured to transport the uncontained case units to and from the vertical array of storage levels, each storage level being configured to receive uncontained case units from the multilevel vertical conveyor system, at least one autonomous transport confined to each storage level, the at least one autonomous transport being configured to transport the uncontained case units between respective storage locations and the multilevel vertical conveyor system, and a controller configured to effect operation of the multilevel vertical conveyor system and at least one autonomous transport for assembling orders of uncontained case units of different types without moving bundles of the same uncontained case unit type throughout the storage and retrieval system.

An item storage system includes a shelving portion and a replenishment portion. The shelving portion includes: a first shelf having a toroidal shape with a center axis; and a second shelf having a toroidal shape that is spaced apart from the first shelf along the center axis. The replenishment portion includes: an elevator portion configured to deliver items to the first shelf and the second shelf, wherein at least part of the elevator portion is positioned in the center of the shelving portion and is surrounded by the shelving portion; and a storing portion configured to load items into the elevator portion, wherein the storing portion is positioned above or below the shelving portion.